Crash Course for a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving
Categories: All, Appetizers, Breads, Holiday, Main Dishes, New Gluten Free Products, Pies, Recipes, Sides, Thanksgiving, Videos
Tags: , Allergy Friendly, Baking Tips, Gluten-Free Bread, Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Holiday Recipes, Onion Rings, Pie Crust, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pie, Stuffing, Thanksgiving, Turkey
So, it’s nearly that Turkey Time again, and shoppers everywhere are scouring the stores for last minute ingredients and supplies. By now you probably have a menu and have hopefully had some time to practice new recipes for the big day.
Maybe you read my Thanksgiving primer in Living Without Magazine’s October/November 2010 issue or have been perusing my Thanksgiving Ebook for recipes. If so, you already have my extensive checklists for a stress-free holiday.
But let’s say you’ve been busy … perhaps your plans have changed … maybe you are newly diagnosed and this is your first gluten free Thanksgiving … whatever you do, don’t panic! There is still time to prepare!
The first thing to rembember is that Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family and friends and to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for … not for stressing out about whether your pie crust will be perfect! With that in mind, review this cheat sheet for last minute to-dos and check out some of these recipes to get ready for a very happy holiday!
Checklist of To-Dos
Here are the essentials you’ll need to get through the day with happy, healthy tastebuds and your sanity!
If you are dining at another’s house:
- call the host and check the menu now
- if there are any dishes that might already be gluten-free, confirm that they will not be adding or contaminating the dish with any gluten ingredients
- ask if they are stuffing the turkey or if the stuffing is on the side (encourage the latter!)
- check whether their turkey brand is gluten-free so you know in advance
- if they haven’t bought their turkey yet, suggest some gluten-free brands (see list below)
- coordinate with the host about what dishes you should bring (suggest that you bring the menu items you most want to be able to enjoy so you are sure to have a gluten-free option)
If you are the host:
- check with your guests to see if there are any other dietary restrictions to take into account
- arrange for guests to bring dishes that will complement your menu and are already gluten-free, if possible (e.g. cranberry sauce; salad; fruit; green beans; ice cream or whipped topping for pies; wine or sparkling apple cider ….)
- order or buy your turkey early so you are sure to get a gluten-free bird (see list below for gluten-free brands)
- make your shopping list and shop ASAP (try not to shop the day before Thanksgiving for anything but fresh fruit or vegetables)
- bake casseroles and pumpkin pies 1-2 days before Thanksgiving
- bake gluten-free bread now if you don’t have bread already made for stuffing – dry the bread in cubes in the oven the day before Thanksgiving
Gluten-Free Turkeys
As with any other food, minimally-processed, fresh and local are best. Never buy a turkey that is pre-basted or stuffed. Gravy packets that accompany some turkeys also usually contain gluten – make gravy from scratch using your favorite gravy recipe with Jules Gluten Free Flour. Check with manufacturers if there is any doubt about their gluten-free status, but the following companies offer at least some gluten-free turkey choices:
- Aaron’s Gourmet
- Empire Kosher
- Honeysuckle White
- Jennie-O-Turkey
- Norbest
- Organic Prairie
- Perdue
- Pilgrim’s Pride
- Shady Brook Farms
- Shelton’s
Essential Thanksgiving Recipes:
Green Bean Casserole with “Fried” Onions
Many more recipes for casseroles, side dishes, gravy and desserts, as well as recommendations for planning the meal can be found in my Thanksgiving Ebook and in my newest cookbook, Free for All Cooking: 150 Easy Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful, thankful holiday!
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Deb Huddleston said: on November 22, 2010
I’m baking the turkey and making the giblet gravy to take to Mama’s for the family Thanksgiving dinner. I’m also making my own gluten free cornbread dressing. I’ve already made my gluten free breadcrumbs with herbs from a loaf of bread that didn’t rise. Really looking forward to it! Thanks for all the help.
Laura said: on November 23, 2010
I just received your 5lb. flour to try for Thanksgiving recipes. Can you tell me the best way to store it. I know it says it doesn’t have to be refrigerated but there are only two of us at home and so it may take me awhile to use it all.
Thanks, Laura
Jules said: on November 23, 2010
Great question Laura! It does have a 15 month shelf life and need not be refrigerated. I keep mine in a clear lucite container (OXO brand) with a rubber seal to keep it fresh and moisture-free. You can certainly put it in the refrigerator or freezer, but as with any flour, bring it to room temperature before measuring for accuracy.
Judy said: on October 3, 2012
Laura, This will be my first Thanksgiving cooking gluten free due to my husband was diagnosed in March of this year. Do you recommend any good stuffing recipes I could use since my original recipe called for milk toast crackers which are not gluten free.
Thanks
Jules said: on October 4, 2012
Judy, have you downloaded my Thanksgiving Ebook??? If not, DO IT! It’s free right now, so there are no excuses!! Stuffing, pie, appetizers, sides, plus all the info you need to handle Thanksgiving at your house or someone elses! It will be delicious, you just need the information and tools to pull it all together! Download it here: http://www.julesglutenfree.com/product-p/book-hdy.htm
Gayle said: on November 21, 2012
Hi I was just diagnosed with gluten intolerance. Is the gluten free thanksgiving still available for free? I downloaded the ebooks when I bought flour and non of them saved in my version of word. Is there any way you can send them again and i will just have to print the whole thing:(( I am already feeling so much better.
J. Rose said: on November 26, 2011
I had such fail this year trying to make stuffing, as it is my first gluten free year and I’ve never had anything but Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing bags. I tried to make stuffing cubes by seasoning and toasting a loaf of Ener-G white rice loaf, but it just didn’t come out well at all. Do you have any recipes to help come close to Pepperidge Farm type stuffing?
Jules said: on November 26, 2011
J. Rose – sorry to hear that the Ener-G loaf didn’t work out well for you, but many frozen GF breads are actually too dense to absorb the broth that is added for flavoring and moisture in stuffing. The best bet is to start with a great loaf of GF bread, toast it lightly, then add the broth. I use my Sandwich Bread Mix for this purpose, eat some of the fresh bread then freeze the rest of the loaf as cubes ready for stuffing when I need it. Check out my Stuffing Recipe and video – they should help you get to where you want to be! You could also use cornbread to make stuffing – I know Pepperidge Farm has a cornbread mix as well, and cornbread is so super easy to make, that might be a good starting place for you!
Gayle said: on November 21, 2012
argh!! Your cornbread link says not found?
Jules said: on November 21, 2012
Hi Gayle – I think it’s fixed now — so sorry! You can always use the search function at the top of the page and type the recipe you’re looking for, so you can find it right away! Happy Thanksgiving!
Neil Miller said: on December 29, 2011
My son Carson is 2 1/2 years old and we discovered his Celiac Disease at about 14 mos. of age. We were able to prepare a gluten free Thanksgiving meal for him.
Jules, your flour is great! The cookies we make with the flour turn out much better than what you can buy in the store.
Jules said: on December 29, 2011
Neil- thank you so much for sharing that with me! That makes me so happy to hear and to know that he has a happy and healthy start to his life!